Newcastle have come from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1, their fifth straight Premier League win inflicting more pain on Ange Postecoglou’s depleted side.
Spurs, who were without 11 players, went ahead after four minutes through Dominic Solanke in Saturday’s early game but the home side’s celebrations were short-lived with Anthony Gordon able to equalise in the sixth minute.
There was controversy surrounding the equaliser as Joelinton handled in the build-up, but VAR allowed the goal to stand and Eddie Howe’s men claimed all three points thanks to Alexander Isak’s 14th goal of the season before halftime.
Tottenham had won this fixture 4-1 against an injury-ravaged Newcastle last season, but this time they were the depleted outfit, and illness to Fraser Forster meant third-choice goalkeeper Brandon Austin made his first appearance for the club.
Postecoglou named captain Son Heung-min and James Maddison on the bench and watched Spurs make the perfect start after four minutes.
Lucas Bergvall, one of five players recalled, carried the ball forward before Pedro Porro superbly crossed in for Solanke to head into the bottom corner.
Solanke’s 11th goal of the campaign came in front of new England boss Thomas Tuchel, who was watching his first Premier League game since officially taking o er the role.
He watched another England international find the net two minutes later when winger Gordon arrowed an effort into the bottom corner for his fifth strike of the season.
Gordon got away from Radu Dragusin after Joelinton had intercepted Lucas Bergvall’s pass with his hand.
But a quick VAR check deemed the contact of the Newcastle midfielder to be accidental.
A furious Postecoglou stood with his arms outstretched in disbelief before cheers from the home fans greeted the booking of Dan Burn for a cynical foul on Dejan Kulusevski..
Postecoglou and his coaching staff were apoplectic again on the touchline when the Burn then handled inside the centre circle, but referee Andrew Madley waved away appeals for a second yellow card.
It should have been 2-1 to Newcastle just past the half an hour mark when Jacob Murphy picked out Isak, who inexplicably poked wide.
The in-form Swedish striker did not make the same mistake with seven minutes of the first half left as he managed to get the final touch on Murphy’s next dangerous cross – after Radu Dragusin failed to clear – to score for a fourth consecutive match.
Tottenham started the second half strongly and almost equalised when Brennan Johnson fired against the post from a tight angle before Kulusevski’s follow-up was blocked.
Yves Bissouma, Maddison and Son were introduced with 28 minutes left, but another break in play after Austin took a whack halted Spurs’ momentum.
Maddison did eventually take control and after he had a dangerous free kick cleared, the Spurs playmaker curled agonisingly wide in the 81st-minute.
Two further chances were created in stoppage-time, but both Solanke headers failed to find the net as Tottenham tasted defeat again, having gleaned just a point from their last four games.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/more-misery-for-postecoglou-as-spurs-lose-to-newcastle-c-17285916
